SPOKANE, Wash. — Governor Ferguson provided an update Monday afternoon after meeting with county and city leaders about wildfire response and recovery efforts.
The state will be submitting a major disaster declaration to the federal government, which allows people to get individual assistance. Ferguson says once FEMA says the ‘incident’ is over, the state will have 30 days to submit. He also said he’ll be in Washington D.C. in late September, and plans to meet with federal officials and make the state’s case for the declaration.
“We’re working extremely closely to make sure we’re getting all the resources out we possibly can as quickly as possible,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson said the state has provided financial assistance to 260 households so far, with an average payment of $1,500. Another 500 families have applied for assistance.
The deadline to apply for state assistance is September 9th.
“If you have lost everything, it’s your opportunity to get a little bit back,” said Buck Copsey, a disaster reservist with Washington Emergency Management.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown also urged wildfire victims to share their stories and needs with state and local officials.
Brown said people in the area are resilient and sometimes reluctant to share what they need. She said officials need to know whether people are uninsured or underinsured, as well as about other unmet needs, to help make the case to the federal government for additional assistance.
Ferguson became emotional when asked about the Old Trails Fire being intentionally set.
“I can’t quite imagine what it’d be line to lose a home,” Ferguson said. “But the idea that somebody set a damn fire, and that caused it, I’d be pretty pissed off.”
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